Carleton Myers

arlton Myers’ resumé reads like a highlight reel. He was the Italian standard-bearer at the opening ceremonies of the 2000 Sydney Olympics. In a 15-year pro basketball career, he’s won an Italian and European basketball championship. He’s among three players in Italian history with more than 10,000 career points — the others are Brazilian Oscar Schmidt and all-time leading scorer Antonello Riva. In 1995, while playing for Rimini, Myers scored 87 points, setting Italy’s all-time single game points record. The muscular guard (1.92m/89k) averaged a team-leading 16.3 points a game in pacing Italy to the 1999 European title (Italy defeated France), its first-ever European championship. Overall, his career scoring average is an elite 21.2.

Born in London in 1971 to a Jamaican father (a professional saxophone player) and an Italian mother, Myers, 32, grew up in Rimini and began his pro career at 18 with Marr Rimini in March 1989. He later played in Pesaro and Bologna, where he paced Fortitudo Bologna to the national A-1 club title in 2000 — A-1 is Italy’s top basketball league.

Myers is winding down his career in Pesaro and has recently turned toward a second career in modelling. He has a web site featuring his look, www.carltonmyers.it. Myers is outspoken on race issues, frequently decrying intolerance in Italian sports and society. Fluent in Italian and English, he spoke to Paul Virgo.

You've had an extraordinary career. What moments stand out?

Many, some related to basketball. But many others weren't. One was when I carried the Italian flag at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Then there was the championship victory (Editor’s note: with Fortitudo Bologna, his only national title).

Do you remember how you felt carrying the Italian flag?

Excited, confused … a series of emotions that are difficult to explain. Afraid as well, because of the responsibility I had been given.

Do you see yourself as a role model for black Italians?

You should ask them. I try to be a good example above all for my son (Joel, 8), then obviously for everyone who watches me and judges me too. Yes, I try to be a positive example. Often I manage, sometimes I don't.

You've frequently spoken out against racism. What point do you think Italy has reached in the struggle against racism?

When I read that Umberto Bossi, a government minister, has said we give a house and a job to every “pingo-pongo” that comes to Italy — well, what point do you think we are at? (Myers switches from Italian to cockney-accented English) I mean he's supposed to be an Italian politician.

And in sports?

In basketball, there haven't been many racist incidents. It's more of a problem in soccer.

You've said soccer stars aren't doing enough to combat racism at the stadium.

I believe a few words from a sports personality who is watched by millions of people — children, teenagers, the elderly — is worth much more than thousands uttered by Fini, Berlusconi or D'Alema. If a Beckham, a Totti, a Maldini or a Del Piero says something, then Bang! The little kids go “Oh, did you hear what he said.” It's not there. Maybe they're not able to express themselves. But you don't need to use fancy expressions. A few words that show there's feeling behind what you say are enough.

You've said before that soccer players should simply refuse to play when there are particularly bad racist incidents.

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